Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1887-03-25
Toms Observations on Reform,
As Eepressedin the Columns Of gour Modern
Contemporary.


Mr.. Editor 1T is apparent that the re-
Gently resurrected cry Of Reform, las he
terms it, does not meet with his approba-
ton. But it is not resurrection, simply
because it is not raised from the dead, but
frem that sturdy and Independent element
in whose bosoms not only the cry but the
determination to act has been smouldering
until its rumble is too distinct and suggest
i've not to be felt. And when he remem
bers that the hOurishing cities of Pempeii
and Herculaneum were totally destroyed
without warning, he should feel grateful to
the supposed hostile antagonists who have
warned his fel0w-D Democrats, who partake
of the unavoidable imperfections character
izing their political career, OF the impend
ing danger, aud are giving them time to
move their spells and loved ones, (whe have
obtained notoriety by the substantiated ev-
idence of Mr.. Cewen,) TO safe refuge.
He says, there is at present abundant
grounds for a vast difference Of opinion as
to the nature Of the thing to be reformed, as
well as TO the character of the men and
means to be employed" That is very true.
He undoubtedly has his opinions as to what
needs reformation, but he does not express
them; he has, in the abundant grounds of
difference of opinion, his views as to the
means to be employed, but does net express
them. But it is evident that his standpoint
of observation is not the same as that OF
the so called Reformers, or, if 1t is, he does
net approve ofthe means they suggest, Chat
is to rid Baltimore Of the present corrupt
means securing dishonest electicns) He has
his opinions of the class of men he would
like to see employed, but fails to mention
any names. But as there are only two ee-
msnts in the party, Regulars and Reform
ers, it is plain that he would not like to SUBJ
ject the present Democratic lambs, (if he
would substitute d for L it would seem more
appropriately to the mercies OF the doubt
full, suspicious characters whe might prove
wolves in sleeps clothing, aspiring under
the nom de plume Of Reform, so fabulous
He warns us To be careful lest We jump
into the fire. | think we are already ia it.
What does he call fireY Republicanism p
| am Democrat, but when | am being
burnt am geing TO look pretty quickly
where the fire Isl He proposes that we stand
it if in the haad OF Democrat. Shall we
keep men in office simply because they are
Democrats in name, when they are not in
principle? Is The title an amulet? Shall
we keep in power by the basest fraud, when
our SO called representatives actually DO
nothing but keep their machinery in perfect
working order, rewarding the convict with
pardon, the suffer with funds, and by CO.
operation and unity increase eur taxes, bur-
denng the already oveTburdened taxpayer
their motts, the spells of the enemy belong
to the victor Fellow Democrats, consider
this proposition, which is clearly proved by
the condition OF our financial affairs. Who
is the enemy? The Relormer Who the
victer? The Regulars, why should not they
be rewarded?
Tom says the Briton who shot Warren
was rewarded; IL was his business. So can
they afford TO kill the boss Retormer, or Cur
ran, or the reform movement; it is part ol
! their business
But Tenn predicts fire Now, tax payers
and Reformers you have been furnishing
the smoke and the Regulars the fire; VT
have been severely burnt; you propose To
reverse the thing, You furnish the fire and
you will make them smoke, and when You
secure honest means of election which will
enable you To elect the so called doubtful
Relormers, will you rule with the taciturn.
ity which characterizes the Regulars, col
when serious charges are brought against
you will you be able to exculpate your OH
cial records with prosf as substantial as Mr..
Governs is of the corruptions OF the former
Tom speaks OF the aspirants to the Legls
ature His idea OF the glass ballot box is
all llBnb1 Dub tutIC lC 10 ihNOhSioeShos - ~
the box only that needs reformation? What
difference does it make what kind Of box
we have for thieves TO use? Give us thu
glass bsx aRd new class Of election OH
GERS whom we can trust; the latter is thu
more necessary, whenever we get them WI
wont fret about the kind of box.
But Tom observes in Il different manner
$50 long as government is by man it mus
partake, more 9r less, of his faultiness ans
unavoidable imperfections, and our griey
ances are in so slight degree We need no
stir up conflicting currents vi opinion whlcl
would endanger the interests of the part.
or antagonize different elements or Great
discord in that vast field of difference .
opinion of which he speaks"
Where the Regulars in that ha ppy rally
Through the various windows pour
Votes that count musically
70 the Bosses we'll tuned law.
But his inconsistency extends farthe
down. He ssys reformation in Baltmor
does not 80 directly interest us as some othe
interests such as dog law. Are the law
of the State at large OF so little interest ?
He compares that futile dogism with i'm
psrtant laws, such as appropriation, taxa
lion, creation of offices, &C., but if the abov
mentioned law is paramount why have th
Regulars, who control the Legislature, ID
nored it2 Farther down he recommend
men for the Legislature who can be d.
pended en-men who can get TO Annopo
without standing and delivering at the juno
tion He condemns what he, at first, SCENE
to find no fault with If there is dangt
at Annapolis Junction, where does it CON
from2 II matters not what is instilled int
d man, or under what influences no ma
have grown up he has to knock undl
when overpewered. Such is the fate Of OF
representatives, except those whose seryc'
are of such nature as to merit reward.
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